The original throwing knives were part of farming
devices used to turn the soil and prepare it for
planting.

When the Emporer forbade peasants from carrying
standard weapons such as spears, swords, etc.
these farmers began using the tools they had instead.
(IE: the kama was a hand sythe, nunchakus were
devices for threshing rice, etc.)

What we know today as throwing stars were devices
which were used to turn the soil and prepare it for
planting.

You can follow their lead...
If you search the large flea markets you can find the
gardening devices such as the Garden Weasle, and
similar items.

By cutting free the individual pieces, (stars), you
have several throwing stars.

BEWARE
However, some other versions are often made of cheap
pot metal. While they will work fine on a target such
as cardboard, they will eventually break if used on
wooden targets.

No big loss, since I paid $1 for the last set
I bought.

If you use some epoxy cement, (I use a brand
called C-7), and cement one or two large washers
through the hole in the middle, then put in a bolt
and nut and tighten it, (using more cement between
the nut and the washer) you can add some nice weight
to your "throwing star".

Make sure the bolt fits the hole tightly or it could
slip and throw off the balance.

Here is a picture of one of the most recent
ones I purchased.

The "earth turning device" (I
don't remember what they are called), normally had
three heads with two "stars" per head.

One head was missing so I got four stars for one
dollar! (and a nice fighting stick, the handle).

Before you go searching, get a magnet of some type.
If it sticks well to the "star" you have a good steel
one.

If it sticks lightly, it's a pot metal alloy.

If it doesn't stick at all, it's probably cast
aluminum.

Either of these will work, but the steel is more
durable and will last longer. Don't discount the
others, however, weighted and sharpened, they can be
used on a foam archery target quite well.

They will stick in wood, but will eventually break.

ABOUT ME
I have won numerous competitions in knife and tomahawk
throwing and have been doing it since I was 8,
(42 years).

The "clip point" is one of my own design and is
specially weighted and was custom made for me.

Above is a Rimpler "Black River" throwing knife.
In my opinion, the best on the market.

The tomahawk is one that was custom designed and
investment cast 440 steel made by a Cherokee friend
of mine, Jim Grayeagle.

I sell them because there is no better made hawk on
the market. It's light, tough, and accurate. It's
also lifetime guaranteed.

As for knives, I recommend a type I saw that had an
elongated leaf shaped (almost spear-like) blade and a
straight handle.

The leather on the handles of my knives is there
because they must have some type of historically
correct material on the handle, a rule in the type
of competitions I take part in. It isn't necessary
for throwing.